Specialty crop block grants to meet deadline
WASHINGTON -- News that $10 million in specialty crop block grants are in jeopardy caused produce industry trade associations to sound the alarm.
The Produce Exchange's new variety of Roma tomato draws interest
On July 27, The Produce Exchange will show the new variety of Roma tomato developed by vegetable-seed company Nunhems at the upcoming 2008 Produce Marketing Association's Foodservice Conference, to be held July 25- 27 in Monterey, CA.
The tomato was introduced at the United Fresh Produce Association/Food Marketing Institute convention held in May in Las Vegas and drew a lot of positive responses, said Dennis Werner, general manager for the branded group at The Produce Exchange, which is based in Livermore, CA.
Foodservice Forum: In New York, iconic eatery draws them in with steak -- and steak-cut tomatoes
NEW YORK -- If you've been to New York and missed eating at Peter Luger Steak House, get your carnivore appetite back here.
The Brooklyn location (a second restaurant on Long Island in Great Neck opened in 1960) has been dishing out the finest USDA Prime steaks since 1887. It was originally established as Carl Luger's Caf?, Billiards & Bowling Alley in the predominantly German neighborhood tucked under the Williamsburg Bridge.
COOL webinar helps industry prepare for looming deadline
Two produce trade groups teamed up June 24 to host a webinar in an attempt to clear up some of the confusion about the upcoming country-of-origin labeling law due to go into effect later this fall.
In July, the U.S. Department of Agriculture is expected to release the latest interpretation of the just-passed farm bill with the much-favored labeling changes. Before that, buyers and sellers of fresh produce must prepare packaging and signage to comply with the Sept. 30 deadline for country-of- origin labeling.
FDA expands probe beyond tomatoes as Salmonella cases continue
WASHINGTON -- The Salmonella outbreak investigation that has fingered tomatoes for a month just took an unusual turn when federal health officials acknowledged that they are "expanding the investigation" to other produce items commonly served with tomatoes.
Mills hit by low real estate and vegetable markets
SALINAS, CA -- Rumors about the financial health of Mills Family Farms have been circulating for months, and the firm is currently working on restructuring its businesses, according to a well-known public relations figure recently retained by the company.
"There are a number of discussions that are taking place daily" in an effort to resolve Mills' problems, said David Armanasco, a recognized public relations figure in Monterey County.
In addition to its farming operations, Mills has substantial real estate holdings in the Monterey area.
IPC garners awards for advertising campaign
The Idaho Potato Commission had one thing in mind when it launched its 2007 retail ad campaign: to show retailers the power of stocking Idaho potatoes.
Not only did it accomplish that, but the comic book-inspired ads it used received accolades for being among the best in the industry. The ad campaign won numerous awards from the National Agri-Marketing Association and the Idaho Advertising Federation, beating out well-known campaigns like the National Pork Board's "The Other White Meat."
NLaws joins Pro*Act
Pro*Act announced at the end of June that NLaws Produce in Savannah, GA, has joined the company's distribution network.
NLaws Produce, a family-owned company, was founded by Steve Kaplan and Jay Epstein, friends and brothers in-law who have a combined 57 years of produce distribution experience. Located on the Georgia State Farmer's Market, operations are set to expand July 1 into neighboring space, giving the firm 35,000 square feet of operations. The facility boasts a refrigerated receiving dock and a superior third-party sanitation and security rating.
Drought may curtail fall Huron lettuce deal
Some growers may cut back -- or pass up -- lettuce plantings for a fall harvest in Huron, CA, as a result of tight water supplies.
The fall Iceberg lettuce harvest in Huron typically runs for as long as five weeks and serves to fill a gap between the end of quality product from the California and Arizona desert areas and the start of the Iceberg lettuce harvest in the Salinas Valley.
Crops that require less irrigation and tillage than Iceberg lettuce could look attractive during times of tight water allocations.
Mastronardi food-safety program showcased on CNN
International news agency CNN featured Kingsville, ON-based North American greenhouse tomato marketer Mastronardi Produce on the "Lou Dobbs Tonight" show on June 30.
With the focus of the produce industry centered on the Salmonella outbreak, CNN correspondent Kitty Pilgrim, sitting in for Lou Dobbs, was quick to point out the key successes of Mastronardi's traceability program.